Pretty much. The original 5.45 round was devastatingly effective, but no so good against modern body armor. The 9X39 round has been used in a number of AKM type weapons but is unlikely to replace the 5.45. It's useful in suppressed weapons and will penetrate body armor. You'll see the weapon used by their police forces of which many are really paramilitary especially those tasked for house to house fighting where the carbine weapons that use the 9X39 round are useful.